MOTORISTS remain uncertain about the new rear seat belt law. From 2 August drivers have faced a £200 fine if they have not belted-up children in the rear of the car.

But there has been confusion whether youngsters have to be strapped into the appropriate child seats.

As children went back to school yesterday, police urged motorists to take a common-sense approach.

Taxi Owners’ Federation president Chris Lowe said drivers had been concerned about the practical implications of having to carry around various types of child seats.

Some had even stopped carrying children.

Police have confirmed that youngsters – travelling in taxis or private vehicles – have to use the child seats only if they are available.

Some motorists remain unsure whether to belt up youngsters in adult belts if they do not have child seats.

‘I really feel some guidelines should be issued because there are dangers of putting adult belts on children while there are also dangers of not putting them on,’ said Mr Lowe.

Mr Lowe said that the federation had been reviewing the law since April to understand drivers’ responsibilities and were concerned that they would have to carry child seats.

He wrote to the police asking for clarification and was told that youngsters had to use child seats only when they were available – otherwise they could just wear adult belts.

Mr Lowe was then shocked when a police statement in July appeared to confirm that youngsters must be put in child seats.

‘It caused a lot of confusion and we began to start worrying that we would not be insured if we did not have child seats available,’ he said.

The police have moved to clarify the situation.

‘The law clearly states that if the child seats are fitted and available they must be used,’ said Chief Inspector Peter Dowding.

He said that if they were not available for use then they did not have to be used.

‘I urge all drivers to ensure that safety of people travelling in the vehicle is of paramount importance, and I encourage people to get the safety equipment.

‘The law is there to ensure the safety of children and that should be the primary concern of parents also.’

He added that individuals had to exercise their discretion on whether to use adult belts if child seats were not fitted.

‘Where they are not fitted I would ask motorists to exercise common sense on the use of adult belts. Where they are used we would urge the adults to ensure the belt fits properly and therefore ensure that there is no unnecessary danger caused to the child.’

Traffic Sergeant Martyn Bougourd said that the main aim was to make sure children were travelling safely.

Mr Lowe said that the first part of the clarification would come as a relief to many taxi drivers.

‘The sooner this can be sorted out the better because drivers have been refusing to take children on board,’ said Mr Lowe. ‘Hopefully this will be helpful and sort out the confusion.’

He remains concerned over how to deal with under-12s when child seats are not fitted.

‘Some safety guidelines need to be issued by somebody who looked into it carefully because of the dangers of using seat belts wrong way.

‘Everybody’s idea of common sense is different.’